AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 10:32 a.m. EST

Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. studio and streaming business for $72 billion

NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix has struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to buy the legacy Hollywood giant’s studio and streaming business for $72 billion. The merger, announced Friday, would bring two of the industry’s biggest players in film and TV under one roof. Beyond its namesake television and motion picture division, Warner owns HBO Max and DC Studios. And Netflix has rose to dominance as a household name ubiquitous to on-demand content, while building of its own production arm to release popular titles like “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game.” The cash and stock deal is valued at $27.75 per Warner share, giving it a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion.

George Clooney reflects on fame, failure and a life in movies with 'Jay Kelly'

George Clooney plays a movie star with regrets in “Jay Kelly.” The film, streaming Friday on Netflix, is fiction, co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who assembled a starry cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup to tell a story about Hollywood, fame and parenthood. Clooney and the others were all eager to sign on before they'd even read the script. The making of the film had everyone reflecting on their own lives in the business and the personalities involved. Sandler shadowed his agent to prepare to play Jay Kelly's manager, and Dern did the same with her publicist.

The best movies of 2025, ranked by AP film writers

The bean counters might say otherwise, but 2025 was a good year for movies. That's the conclusion of The Associated Press' film writers, Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle, who have ranked their top films of the year. Both place Paul Thomas Anderson's “One Battle After Another” at the top of their lists. And both also include “Marty Supreme,” “It Was Just an Accident” and “Sinners.” Bahr's includes “If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,” “Sentimental Value” and “The Naked Gun.” Coyle's list includes “No Other Choice,” the third “Knives Out” movie, “Blue Moon” and the documentary “Afternoons of Solitude.”

Another line of attack: White House sets up a hall of shame for news outlets

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's White House has established a hall of shame for journalists it finds guilty of media bias as it looks for new avenues of attack against legacy news outlets. And it's calling on “everyday Americans” to participate with their own examples of where they consider journalists to be unfair. The Republican president has been criticizing “fake news” since his first term. Some of Trump's attacks have turned personal in the past month. Yet despite it all, the news outlet Axios pointed out this week that mainstream news sources are as dominant as ever in setting the agenda for Washington and — somewhat ironically — capturing the president's attention.

At least 4 countries pull out of 2026 Eurovision contest as Israel’s participation sows discord

GENEVA (AP) — At least four countries have announced they are pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. This decision follows the organizers' choice to allow Israel to compete, despite concerns over its conduct in the Israel-Hamas war. Dutch, Spanish, Irish and Slovenian broadcasters announced plans to sit out the context in Vienna next May. It came after the European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, voted to adopt tougher voting rules after allegations of Israel manipulating votes. The contest has faced challenges due to the war in Gaza, with some countries threatening to boycott if Israel participates.

What to know about the Eurovision Song Contest as Israel's participation sparks walkouts

LONDON (AP) — The Eurovision Song Contest is facing a major crisis after four countries pulled out over Israel's participation. Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia announced they will not join the 2026 contest in Vienna. Organizers refused to expel Israel over its actions in Gaza. Iceland may also boycott. Eurovision expert Paul Jordan said Friday that a mass exodus is unlikely, but 2026 will be tense. The boycotts could hurt viewership and finances for the contest. More than two dozen countries have confirmed participation and the final list of competing countries is due before the end of December.

From Pope Francis to Charlie Kirk, many deaths in 2025 had a wide impact

The world lost influential people in 2025, and some of their deaths had significant impacts. Pope Francis died in April, leading to the election of the first American pope. The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September sparked discussions about political violence. Virginia Giuffre's suicide in April brought renewed attention to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and other notable politicians also died. The entertainment industry mourned the loss of Gene Hackman, David Lynch, Roberta Flack, Hulk Hogan and other stars.

AP's top songs of 2025: 'Lo que le pasó a Hawaii,' 'Abracadabra' and more

NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press has selected the 10 best songs of the year, showcasing a diverse range of artists and genres. Bad Bunny's “Lo que le pasó a Hawaii” stands out as a powerful anthem for Puerto Rico's cultural autonomy. Lady Gaga's “Abracadabra” marks a triumphant return to her electro-pop roots. Chappell Roan's “The Subway” showcases her versatility with dream-pop influences. Wednesday's “Elderberry Wine” offers a poetic take on classic country. Other notable tracks include dexter in the newsagent's “Special,” Feeble Little Horse's “This is Real,” and Kehlani's heartfelt “Folded.”